The Phases of the Moon

1. We do not see the same shape of the Moon everyday.

2. From the Earth, the Moon looks like it is changing its shape every night.

3. This phenomenon is caused by the different positions of the Moon as it moves around the Earth.

4. This phenomenon is called the phases of the Moon.

5. There are five major phases of the Moon: New Moon, Crescent Moon, Half-moon, Gibbous Moon and Full Moon.

6. It takes 28 days to complete one cycle of the phases of the Moon.

The phases of the Moon

The characteristics of each phase of the cycle.

New Moon The Moon is between the Sun and the Earth. The bright side of the Moon is facing away from the Earth. The side of the Moon that is facing the Earth is completely dark.Therefore, we could not see the Moon from the Earth in the night sky.

The right side of the Moon appears to be bright.

New Crescent

Old Crescent

The left side of the Moon appears to be bright.

We can see the thin crescent in the night sky.

The Moon appears as a half circle on the right side.

New Half- Moon

The Moon appears as a half circle on the left side.

Old Half- Moon

More than half of the Moon can be seen. The bright surface is larger than the Half-Moon but smaller than a full Moon.

New Gibbous Old Gibbous

It happens 2 weeks after the new Moon. The bright side of the Moon is facing the Earth completely. Therefore, the Moon appears as a full circle in the night sky.

Full Moon

7. The complete phases of Moon are from the new moon to the full moon and then back to new moon again.

8. When the Moon is changing from new moon to full moon, it said to be waxing, or growing bigger.

9. When the Moon is changing from full moon to new moon, it is said to be waning, or growing smaller.

10. During waxing, the right side of the Moon is illuminated.

11. In contrast, during waning the left side of the Moon is illuminated.

Let’s Check how well we have learned about the moon

Question 1:

Arrange the phases of the Moon in the correct sequence.

P Q R S T

B. T , S , Q , P , R

C. Q , T , S , R , PA. R , Q, T , P , S

D. T , Q , R , P , S

D is the correct answer!

Well Done! Continue to next question

Oops…Sorry. You got it wrong.

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Question 2:

What phases of the Moon is it?

A. New Crescent Moon

B. Old Crescent Moon

C. New Gibbous Moon

D. Old Gibbous Moon

C is the correct answer!

Well Done! Continue to next question

Oops…Sorry. You got it wrong.

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Question 3:

How many days to complete one cycle of the phases of the Moon?

A. 27 days

B. 28 days

C. 29 days

D. 30 days

B is the correct answer!

Well Done! Continue to next question

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Question 4:

Name the phase of the Moon in the picture. Think the answer and click on the moon to get the correct answer.

Answer: Full Moon

Hope you enjoy the lesson.